Scene on Madison Avenue near East 81st St. where a man was killed as he walked across the street. (Schwartz for News)

A young man was killed early Tuesday when a Mack truck backed into him as he crossed a Manhattan street while listening to his iPod, police said.

Jason King, 21, was less than a block from the upper East Side bakery where he worked when he was hit just after 6 a.m. on Madison Ave. at E. 81st St., police said.

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The truck driver was trying to park along Madison Ave. to drop off a Dumpster, police said. He was not charged with a crime.

After hearing of King's horrific death, co-workers at Eat Restaurant were weeping as they served customers.

"I can't believe he's gone," said Nunny Sanchez, calling King, who lived in the neighborhood, an "angel" who dreamed of becoming a rock star. "Jason had a kind heart. He always greeted everyone with a smile."

The truck driver, Anthony Regisford, 51, of Pennsylvania, was going north on Madison Ave. and had just passed through the intersection of E. 81st St. when he pulled into the right lane and began to move in reverse, cop said.

The truck, owned by a Brooklyn carting company, ran over King as he walked in the crosswalk, heading toward the west side of Madison Ave., where the bakery is located.

He was dragged under the truck for about 30 feet before the massive vehicle came to a stop.

Police sources said King was listening to music that likely prevented him from hearing the truck as it backed up. A mangled iPod Nano and headphones remained on the pavement, near the crosswalk, after the crash.

Regisford remained at the scene. He was hit with two summonses - one for failing to secure a load; the other for not having a medical card.